Blade Kiteboarding Trigger 9m 2017
Reviews / Kites
24,111
At A Glance
The Trigger is one of the long-standing kites in Blades lineup, and it's clear to see why. It’s a three strut all-rounder with a large wind range and the ability to handle a range of conditions and disciplines.
New for 2017, the Triggers profile has been updated. The designers have moved away from the grunty kite of last year and tilted the profile of the canopy to create a kite which sits further forward in the window; basically meaning easier upwind and higher jumps!
Also for the 9th Generation, Blade have added their new ‘Cross-Fibre Ripstop’ to the kites canopy which is a stronger material with an additional coating making the kite last longer.
A Max Flow inflation system gets you onto the water in record time, and the excellent reinforcements in key areas keeps your kite safe from premature wear and tear.
Sizes: 5,7,8,9,10,12,14m
The Bar
The Uni Control Bar has had an upgrade this year, though looking very similar there are some great improvements. The bar is made out of a single piece of aluminium and coated in a strong and comfortable EVA grip pad. The bar has a changeable length from 44 to 52cm depending on where you position your lines on the bar ends. This can be really useful for using one bar with a range of different kite sizes.
The 2nd generation Uni Control Bar offers great safety with its simple push away release and simple front line re-ride. The centre lines move freely through the centre of the bar, and the chicken loop locks into the bar for those unhooked moves allowing you to easily hook back in on landing.
Some new features include the ability to alter the length of the centre lines. This intuitive design is great for those with shorter arms, or for those who simply want to customise their kit to their own liking.
The swivel has also been beefed up ensuring lines always unspin, and the stopper ball is incredibly effective should you wish to practice those deadmen and other old school moves!
In The Air
The Trigger has always been an easy kite to fly, and the 9th Generation simply builds on this.
The kite sits solid and happy in the sky at all times, with constant power throughout the window. There are no jerky movements or sudden onsets of power, rather a smooth and accelerating power delivery.
A light bar pressure at all times is very pleasant, but its not too light you don't know where the kite is, in fact to took us no time at all to get dialled in. Thanks to the new profile of the Trigger, you simply fly upwind. It is truly effortless riding, allowing you more time to focus on jumping and your tricks. This is especially apparent right now with foiling taking off; the Trigger is a great kite to crack foiling with due to its dependable low-end power and upwind ability.
The Trigger has proved to be a great kite for boosting. Comfortable at all stages, you won’t feel out of control but supported as you fly through the air. Into the top of the range and the Trigger comes into its own for jumping. Again the new shape of the kite has just increased the already impressive boost potential and you will float away to your heart's content.
“Dependable low end power and upwind ability, with excellent jumping capabilities.”
The snappy turn of the kite keeps sessions in the waves engaging and entertaining. Looping the Trigger is super fun. Not being a freestyle and loop machine it won’t see you hurtling forward at Mach 10, but it will certainly get you there and get you started on your journey into looping.
Unhooking is good, again it's not designed as a freestyle specific kite, but is a great kite to get to grips with your first few moves. Of course with this comes the inevitable crashes, but the Trigger is a dream to relaunch almost has an allergy to water it seems!
For
Even more user-friendly than previously with the same brilliant all round performance
Against
Once again we have been really impressed with the Trigger. Perhaps a PVC coating over the centre lines on the bar would be nice to stop any possible wear, but that’s only us being picky.
Overall
Keeping the same excellent all round abilities, the 9th Generation Trigger has only improved in all areas. The new profile creates better upwind angles and bigger jumps, whilst the entire package is of super high quality, design and construction.
Videos
This review was in Issue 62 of IKSURFMAG.
For more information visit Blade KiteboardingRelated
By Robin and Sukie
With years of kite sport experience combined, you can be sure you’ll be receiving the highest quality of knowledge on the best equipment the industry has to offer.
